Peru has a range of ecosystem resources and services that are seriously threatened by climate change. Some of its effects are clearly visible, such as the loss and retreat of glaciers, difficulties in access to water resources, greater and more prolonged droughts, forest fires, frosts and floods. In that context, it is time to adapt to climate change effectively.

Therefore, the National Adaptation Plan is part of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) that Peru reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and in which it has undertaken to work on adaptation in 5 prioritized thematic areas: water, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, forests and health. The goal is clear: a climate resilient Peru.

Reducing vulnerability to the negative impacts of climate change and capitalizing on its positive impacts are part of the tasks of the National Adaptation Plan. A first step is the intersectoral management model that is already successfully implemented. In that sense, members of the Multisectoral Working Group in charge of generating technical information to guide the implementation of NDCs in the country also participated in the event.

Participants also included members of the Technical Working Group on Climate Risk Management from the National Commission on Climate Change, representatives of civil society, and public institutions. Along with them, international experts from Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Grenada and the United States shared their experiences in funding, monitoring and evaluation, and communication of the National Adaptation Plan.

The National Adaptation Plan Global Network (NAP GN) was established in Lima, Peru, in December 2014 during the Twentieth Conference of the Parties (COP 20) with initial financial support from Germany and the United States. The NAP GN was created to strengthen the design and implementation of National Adaptation Plans, facilitate peer learning and to increase bilateral support for adaptation in developing countries. The Network’s secretariat is the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), based in Canada.

The implementation of the Paris Agreement for green growth in all countries, and the National Adaptation Plan is a valuable opportunity for this. This event highlighted how the harmony between economic development and climate adaptation brings benefits and environmental commitments for all Peruvians.